The Police in Osun State, on Thursday, arraigned three suspected cultists before an Osogbo Magistrate’s court for alleged possession of firearms, charms and other dangerous weapons used to cause chaos among the residents of the state.
The suspected cultists, including a 22-year-old Akeem Kareem, Mukaila Ibrahim,19, and Ibikoye Kamorudeen, 23, were dragged to court on charges bearing on conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearms, stealing and assault.
The Prosecutors, Sergeants Duro Adekunle and Sunday Ajayi, told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on September 12 and 30, 2017 at Oja-Oba and Powerline areas of Osogbo.
The three suspects and others at large, were accused of belonging to an unlawful society known as the Eiye secret cult.
The charge sheet obtained by our correspondent in court, reads in part, “That you, Mukaila Ibrahim and Kareem and others at large, did unlawfully have in your possession some charms, one UTC knife, a bottle containing petrol, one ring, one hammer, one screw driver, one Samsung galaxy, one BlackBerry phone, two itel phones, one small Nokia phone, one small key, which you could not give satisfactory account of.”
“That you (accused persons) did unlawfully have in your possession two live cartridges, which you could not give satisfactory account of.”
Adekunle then argued that the offences committed by the accused persons were contrary to and punishable under Section 64(a)(b) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Volume.II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.
Adekunle also stressed that the offence contravened Section 8 and punishable under Section 27(1)(b)(ii) of the Firearms Act Cap F.28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Prosecutor Ajayi further informed the court, when Kamorudeen was arraigned, that he threatened to attack some residents of the state, including Oladosu Lukman, Ifayemi, Mutiu and Ibraheem Alli with cutlass and knife on September 30, Â 2017 at Powerline area, Osogbo.
Ajayi added that Kamorudeen eventually attacked Lukman with cutlass and knife and also stole beads worth N20,000.
While arguing that Kamorudeen also belonged to a cult group known as Eye Society, he stated that the accused committed offences contrary to Sections 86 and 64 and punishable under Section 64(a) and 86(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation as applicable in Osun.
But the three suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Counsel to the accused persons, Tunbosun Oladipupo, applied for the bail of his clients in the most liberal terms, adding that the offences were bailable.
While delivering her ruling on the bail applications, Magistrate Fatimah Sodamade  granted the accused persons bail of N500,000 with one surety each and adjourned the case till November 2, for hearing.
